New York Consolidated Laws, Education Law - EDN § 3641-a. Excelsior scholars program for grade seven mathematics and science students

1. Each year, the commissioner shall identify up to three thousand high performing seventh grade students in mathematics and science from students nominated by each public middle school, junior high school, intermediate school or junior/senior high school, or kindergarten through secondary school.  The commissioner by regulation shall prescribe the maximum number of students that may be nominated by each school, which may vary based on the size of the school, which shall include equal numbers of male and female students.  After review by the commissioner, qualified students shall be certified to the governor for recognition as an excelsior scholar.

2. The commissioner shall conduct a competitive process under which financial grants are awarded to each college and university approved to provide appropriate advanced coursework to excelsior scholars in the summer months, subject to the availability of funds appropriated for such purpose.

3. The regulations of the commissioner shall provide for coordination of the program with the seven centers for excellence in technology and the programs offered by such centers, to the extent practicable.